Award-winning: Sustainability at Erfurt & Sohn

Erfurt & Sohn has demonstrated responsibility for the environment and its natural resources in the manufacture of its products for generations. Felicitas Erfurt-Gordon, Managing Partner of Erfurt & Sohn, remains true to this philosophy. Together with all Erfurt employees, she is introducing numerous measures to make the company future-proof in terms of sustainability. In recognition of this, she has now been awarded this year’s “BAUM Environmental and Sustainability Award” in the “Large enterprise” category.

A responsible approach to the environment has always been firmly anchored in the corporate philosophy of Erfurt & Sohn. The company aims for all business processes to be implemented in line with its own, site-specific sustainability strategy. This systematically focuses on climate protection, resource conservation, and social sustainability. Now in its eighth generation, the company exemplifies how economic and ecological interests can be successfully aligned. But there is more: The company is positioning itself for the future with the aim of designing its products to be recyclable in line with the cradle-to-cradle principle. These measures are being stepped up by the company's Managing Partner Felicitas Erfurt-Gordon, who has been responsible for sustainability since 2020. Thanks to her dedication, she has now been awarded the 2024 BAUM Environmental and Sustainability Award in the “Large Companies” category.

The BAUM e.V. network is committed to creating a future worth living through sustainable economic activity. Since 1984, the German Environmental Management Association (Bundesdeutsche Arbeitskreis für Umweltbewusstes Management e.V.) has been successfully combining economic, ecological, and social issues, i.e. the principles of sustainability, in a future-oriented way under the abbreviation BAUM. The award recognizes the achievements of individuals who implement and promote environmental and sustainability management. Felicitas Erfurt-Gordon received the award for her commitment to resource and environmental protection in the company and for her efforts to establish a circular economy. An important step towards this was the market launch of the first 100% climate-neutral wallcovering in 2020. The strategy of resource conservation continues the company's guiding principle of sustainable environmental management. The systematic use of recycled paper instead of cellulose also makes Erfurt & Sohn a role model and pioneer for the industry and its competitors. The company’s target of doubling the proportion of products made from 100% recycled fibers by 2024 has also been more than met.

As a basis for the development of all future corporate climate protection strategies, and on the initiative of Ms Erfurt-Gordon, Erfurt has been developing an annual climate impact balance sheet since 2021, which shows that Erfurt & Sohn can more than meet the 1.5 degree target. From 2023 to 2024, the company reduced its CO2 emissions by 20%. 4.2% is required each year according to the 1.5 degree target. The company has already achieved four times this figure in one year. “We are currently working towards certification based on the cradle-to-cradle principle,” explains Felicitas Erfurt-Gordon. “The construction industry is the largest waste producer in Germany, with a share of 64%. In addition, 30% of CO2 emissions come from the construction sector. As a wallpaper manufacturer, we see ourselves as part of the circular building process and thus have a responsibility to improve it. In our view, the establishment of an integrated circular economy is the only logical consequence. I would like to take responsibility for our site and our employees, and regard it as my duty to future-proof our company and to help conserve resources.”

More information on sustainability can be found here.

The BAUM Environmental and Sustainability Award 2024 in the “Large enterprise” category is awarded to Felicitas Erfurt-Gordon – it was presented by BAUM e.V. Management Board members Martin Oldeland (left), Yvonne Zwick (center), and Dieter Brubach (right). (Photo: ©BAUM, Photographer Frank Erpinar)

The BAUM Environmental and Sustainability Award 2024 in the “Large enterprise” category was awarded to Felicitas Erfurt-Gordon for her work on sustainability at Erfurt & Sohn. (Photo: ©BAUM, Photographer Frank Erpinar)

Felicitas Erfurt-Gordon is committed to environmental protection and resource conservation (Photo: Erfurt wallcoverings)

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